The cuts affect ‘subsidised’ services - those supported by the taxpayer because they are not profitable enough for bus operators.

Warning further service losses could not be ruled out, Coun Andrew Fender, TfGM Committee chairman, blasted bus bosses for making ‘super profits’ out of customers while the authority struggles.

But local bus companies say they have some of the best value fares in Britain and prices had risen far below inflation since 1996, they say they are using profits to keep services running through unprecedented ‘gridlock’ caused by road works in Manchester city centre.

Coun Fender added: “We know the profits bus companies make - some might describe them as ‘super profits’ - are much more than they need to be.

'More money than they need'

“Companies like First and Stagecoach are making more money than they need to out of the public.

“Their profits are considerable at a time when many other companies struggle to get much ahead of inflation.”

These ‘super profits’ are against a back drop of £720,000 cuts to bus services this year.

Mr Fender added: “We’ve never seen cuts as bad as they are now. What we are seeing in April is the tail end of the decision taken two years ago to make savings.

“I can’t say there won’t be any more but the kinds of service we are not able to continue funding are those carrying small numbers of people.”

Buses at Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station

'Best value fares'

A Stagecoach Manchester spokeswoman said they had the best value fares in Britain and prices had risen far below inflation since 1996.

She said congestion was costing £7m a year due to ‘traffic gridlock strangling the city’.

She added: “In fact, independent research shows that, across the UK bus operator costs have risen and profits have dropped in recent years.”

She said revenue was reinvested and an average £5m was spent every year on new buses and services. They had stepped in to help run supported services facing the chop, she added.

Operators would have to bid to run services as franchises - in the same way rail firms are handled - along guidelines set by TfGM.

Mr Fender said this could include fare changes to boost patronage and make smart ticketing easier.

A spokesman for First Greater Manchester Ltd said they work with councils, TfGM and operators to ensure at-risk links are maintained.

He said profits were ploughed back into the service - and to counteract ‘unprecendented city centre road works’.

He added: “The case for franchising has yet to be proven, and in the meantime, we look forward to continuing to work with TfGM for the people of Greater Manchester to put in place the kind of partnership approach that will deliver the high quality transport system that we all want.”